The world was white and full of terror, Saras raced through a maze of faceless statues. Something laughed so loudly it shook the world. Saras ran down one corner and found a door, he pushed it open. Dead Han Guan. He slammed it shut and continued running. Dead Jit Kun. Dead Wugu. Dead Feral Islanders. Dead Tong Fo. Dead Fung. Dead Gahri. He slammed open the final door. Dead Aang.

Saras awoke panting and sweating. He sat up, his eyes meeting the familiar aesthetics of his room. The dim light that pervaded the Bat Cave seeped in and he allowed himself to lay back down. It had just been another nightmare. He had gotten them often in his lifetime, but moreso after his escapade with the House of Tamod. He had seen too much death for anyone his age, it had clearly screwed up his brain.

He dredged his memory as best he could. The last thing he could remember was the Daisui Mansion exploding behind him. He heard a knock at his door and suddenly felt a strange shiver slip down his spine.

Aang entered the room. "And he's awake! Congratulations little bro your latest attempt at suicide blew up behind you". The bat had always been very loose with his allegories. Despite being the older 'brother' Aang was half of Saras' height, and Saras was himself quite short. The Bat Lord was brown furred, brown-eyed and black-robed. The only thing that made up for his plain appearance was the plethora of chains he wore around his neck. "So before you tell me what you were doing on a mission you weren't even supposed to know about, I would like to ask you, what were you doing on a mission you weren't even supposed to know about"!

Saras had literally woken a minute ago, while this might have been enough time for most people to formulate some kind of excuse all the slyness he possessed had seemingly been wiped from his brain. "Well, I was er"-

"Okay let me stop you right there. Little bro, whenever you start a sentence with 'well' you're either having a nervous breakdown or are stalling for time. I know the way you think, please don't act like you can lie to me".

Saras allowed himself to collapse back on his bed. Aang was his brother, but he wouldn't understand everything he had been through. He will laugh if I tell him it's because of nightmares. He decided to tell a half lie.

"I'm sick and tired of having nothing to do. All I've done since spring was sit in council sessions and lie in bed. I though I could...help "?

Aang allowed himself to smile. "Look, you suffered... a lot this year. So I thought it would be nice to give you a break. You didn't do too badly with the whole Daisui affair, but I had to get the Imperial Army off our backs, and that was a lot of work. So you can just have your holiday".

Unfortunately for Aang, Saras could also tell when he was lying. "Is there anything else"? He asked innocently.

"Er- yeah. The council, voted you out of the council. Anywho, that's enough time I've taken from you, Doctor Wei will be on her way".

Aang left the room. Saras flopped onto the bed. It was at that time he remembered something Babirasu had told him about the Jit Kun. I need to prove him wrong. I am not a runt.

"You know what to do", the feline answered, throwing forwards a bag of coins that jingled. "Consider that the first of many."

The hemomancer grinned. "Don't worry boss, I will. Xueye, with me"!

Fine, a Jit Kun is a weapon, of mass destruction. Before you deny it let me explain. The Jit Kun were nomadic raiders who kidnapped children to raise them with special and dark magical powers which came from the Jit Kun Crystal, in order to make raids easier to carry out. You and I were both taken from our faimilies-

Saras had interrupted him at that point, but the words had already been said and heard. Saras sighed, he would figure them out when he was out of his bed. Babirasu had left a mark on him, now he really needed to think. Everything he had done was to avenge people who had kidnapped him.

"HI HI!" He jumped a foot in the air at the energetic bunny that had practically shouted in his ear.

How did he get in without me noticing ?

"I'm Doctor Wei and I'm sooooooooo glad you're awake again"!

"I know who you are", Saras grumbled, every time he had come back from one of the Bat Cave's errands he had been treated and made better by Doctor Wei, although frankly the bunny was the most annoying thing about being 'off duty'.

"I'm just reminding you sweety ! A little reminder doesn't ever hurt does it "?

No but it ticks me off.

"So how are you feeling"?

"Like I've been through a noodle maker backwards".

"That's good, that's good"!

Are you deaf ?

"Anyways, I just need to check on your scars to make sure they don't get infected ! So the jumper's coming off honey"! She continued, pulling out a massive needle from nowhere.

Knowing from experience that there was no point in resisting, and that he was about to go through something very painful he removed his woolen yellow pullover without another word and bit back a whimper as Doctor Wei set to work on the two round red spots on his underbelly, yet another reminder of the House of Tamod that would stay with him for life.

Footnote: Bit of a short chapter this time, but I have plenty of little references. I'll give you a cookie if you get all of them. :)

On another note I was delighted to find out that the Stories of Saras now has a Tv Tropes page, so a thank you to whoever did that, and thank you to anyone who contributes or has contributed.

Enjoy and Update soon.